ACR tires
- Thread starter Mopar488
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johniew398
Enthusiast
I have had mine out when it was in the 40's; but, won't risknit when it is colder.
01sapphirebob
Enthusiast
I believe the manual says that for the PS2's as well. I would not go out when it's any colder then that. But thats just me.
Richie7
Viper Owner
They are dangerously slick at really cold temps, just be ultra careful to get them warmed up and even, then take it easy.
Since it is a DOT race tire it will take quite awhile to warm up and as designed for warm temperatures it is not really advisable to take it out in weather where pavement/atmospheric heat is low. It can take a long time to get the tires to optimal temperature range and hence this can affect both traction , cornering and even braking distances.
Take your Snake out when it is warm, remembering reptiles are cold blooded creatures, ha.
Take your Snake out when it is warm, remembering reptiles are cold blooded creatures, ha.
shine
Viper Owner
I've driven it on mornings when it's been in the 20s and 30s outside.
You just drive sensibly. The car will tell you what it can and can't do. Gentle, smooth inputs.
What's really funny is, I still had to turn on the A/C when it was that cold out, after about 10 minutes of driving!
You just drive sensibly. The car will tell you what it can and can't do. Gentle, smooth inputs.
What's really funny is, I still had to turn on the A/C when it was that cold out, after about 10 minutes of driving!
I drive mine all the time in the winter if the roads are dry.
Seven years four different Vipers. Never a single problem.
If you're not capable of adjusting your driving style for cold conditions by all means stay home.
In the cold you drive like you have a hot coffee on your lap, smooth and slower.
Maybe not as much fun, but it beats sitting on the couch looking at the garage.
ACR VYPR
Enthusiast
Make sure you check your tire pressures. As the temperature goes down, so will your tire pressure.
I took it out today at 50F and it did fine on regular highways at 50-60 mph. I got on the interstate after miles to go to the next exit to change my oil. That part of the interstate is real rough due to a weigh station for the trucks. I felt every ripple, bump, high and low spot and did not feel in real control evev at 60 mph. It almost felt like it was slipping a little. I came back home on the highway and felt a lot safer.
Boxer12
Enthusiast
I track mine under 50 deg...but i don't recommend that anyone do it but me. 
I took one to a viper new year party once. It was below zero but had not snowed yet so no salt on the roads. It was very slippery at that temp
swexlin
Viper Owner
This. I also drive mine in winter as long as the roads are clear and dry. When I got her out of the (unheated) garage this morning to go to Cars and Coffee, it was 37. My PS2s were cold, and I took her easy. Only time I lost traction for a second was when I had to pull out onto a high speed road leaving C&C. In the winter, I drive like a Grandma. But, it's better that letting the car sit. Now THAT is not good for a Viper, or any car.
on the 2nd day of owning the ACR I did about 100 miles in 46degrees and quickly falling temps, it was about 40 when I parked it for the night. did some autocross in mid-40s the day after on a wet track. They don't work very well but they are still tires. I drove a Porsche on Pilot Sport cups in near freezing temps before, so I knew what to expect. btw, it seems that Viper version of cup tire is not as good at channeling water away as the porsche spec one, and the sidewall seems stiffer (which is not great for cold/wet driving)
I bought a second set of wheels and a set of tires with more streetable compount/tread configuration since then, so I can track the car in the winter at speed or drive around comfortably if I feel like it. I drove my previous fun car (z06 corvette) on Michelin PS2s all year around, including (light) snow/slush.
What ViperJon said about adjusting your driving style for conditions is spot on, esp. about being smooth, another important part is to think ahead, plan ahead, and anticipate - i.e. following distances, not pulling out in front of fast traffic so you can accelerate at your own pace, don't brake or downshift if you don't need to etc
I bought a second set of wheels and a set of tires with more streetable compount/tread configuration since then, so I can track the car in the winter at speed or drive around comfortably if I feel like it. I drove my previous fun car (z06 corvette) on Michelin PS2s all year around, including (light) snow/slush.
What ViperJon said about adjusting your driving style for conditions is spot on, esp. about being smooth, another important part is to think ahead, plan ahead, and anticipate - i.e. following distances, not pulling out in front of fast traffic so you can accelerate at your own pace, don't brake or downshift if you don't need to etc
swexlin
Viper Owner
More excellent advice, especially on following distance. Also, smooth, easy shifts.
vipernut94
Enthusiast
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I drive my ACR all year long. But... in the winter I'm gentle on the throttle and humbled at the thought that a Prius might beat me on straight line acceleration, due the lack of grip from the Sport Cups.
2000_Black_RT10
Enthusiast
In addition to traction, lower temps being a bit of a disadvantage... even the shocks are tuned for warm tires, being colder the tire material is more stiff as well as the bushings, losing out on a bit of maintaining traction / tire contact patch over high speed bumps because the shock valving is tuned to react to the compliance of the softer / less stiff warm tire and suspension bushings (inc. anti roll bars, control arms). Pretty much need to run the car at the recommended temperature for best vehicle dynamic performance, even considering the lower damper fluid temp considering all as a system that was validated and tuned at optimal temps for this type of car. I've helped design cars at several OEMs for all around seasonal use, and an attempt at humor... the wheel house on a Viper is not designed for snow chain clearance (as most typical OEM civilian vehicles are).
Cheers,
Mike
PS... like this Ferrari isn't ideal for winter either.. a coworker / friend snapped this pic in Toronto the other year..
Cheers,
Mike
PS... like this Ferrari isn't ideal for winter either.. a coworker / friend snapped this pic in Toronto the other year..
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Last edited:
Paul Hawker
Enthusiast
Be careful out there.
In addition to the tires having less grip, the engine will make even more power with all that dense cool air.
This means quicker throttle response combined with far less traction.
Driving on snow or ice is next to impossible with these super wide slick tires.
Even with fully treaded tires Vipers do not like the snow.
In addition to the tires having less grip, the engine will make even more power with all that dense cool air.
This means quicker throttle response combined with far less traction.
Driving on snow or ice is next to impossible with these super wide slick tires.
Even with fully treaded tires Vipers do not like the snow.
lmcgrew79
Viper Owner
Take your chewing gum and run it under cold water for a few mins. It will get harder, put it out in the sun it will melt. Same theory with tires. Unless running winter tires of course. I'd say with ps2s anywhere under 60 they will start breaking loose alot earlier, thanks giving night it was spinning some in second gear at about 70mph and it was about 55 out. Had the cups out the other day it was 48 and they was also very easy spin. I would not hammer down by any means at those temps unless in 3rd or 4th gear and again only with front wheels straight and paying attention for wheel spin, go out with no traffic in a straight line and try them. Will see a massive diffence between grip at 80 degrees and 50 degrees.
madninjaskillz
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You obviously havn't heard of the winter pack a guy in Minnesota is doing to his Viper. It includes snow tires with chains and a 4 inch lift. True story.
Last Sunday I was out very early in dark upper 40 degree temperatures, very damp roads from dew and dense fog on my way down to Captree on Long Island.
Drove slowly and never hammered the throttle just gentle inputs especially on turns.
No problem at all. If you can't/won't drive like that put the car away for the winter.
Drove slowly and never hammered the throttle just gentle inputs especially on turns.
No problem at all. If you can't/won't drive like that put the car away for the winter.
what he said.
I have tracked and street driven mine when it's below 50 degrees, just be sure to adjust your throttle input in correlation to the wheel position.
i've now driven the Viper on PS Cups in low 30 temps a couple of times. Not something I would recommend if there is any moisture on the road. On the dry pavement it's manageable just to get from point A to point B. Since then I got a second set of wheels and put NT05 on them - they work a lot better in cold temperatures and softer sidewall somewhat compensates for harder suspension. The only trouble is that they work really well until they don't, or maybe I'm just not used to how the car feels at the grip limit. Seems it was easier to tell with PS Cups.
actually straight line grip is not that bad in the cold, but I noticed that low(er) speed understeer is massive in this car when cold and it snaps from understeer to oversteer real fast.
actually straight line grip is not that bad in the cold, but I noticed that low(er) speed understeer is massive in this car when cold and it snaps from understeer to oversteer real fast.
